The Rise of India and China

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The world is experiencing a wind of change. With the collapse of the mighty Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the United States evolved as the sole undisputed super power. The European Community (lately the European Union) embarked on the integration of former Soviet republics and former Eastern European countries into its fold by providing material and moral support. On the other hand, the United States was busy watching a new Russia that emerged out of disintegrated USSR. Because Russia possessed dangerous nuclear arsenals, the U.S. kept a watchful eye on every movement of Russia economically, socially, and politically.

With the United States remaining the only global hegemon, India and China jumped on the bandwagon not necessarily on military platforms but on economic empowerment. This brought an end to the era of the single global policeman. The world transformed from unilateralism to multilateralism. All general disputes became the prerogative of the international community with the United Nations serving as the master jury.

However, in East Asia-two nations, India and China made great strides in the fields of scientific and military technology, in economic prosperity through global partnerships and globalization, enhanced industrialization, and international political engagements. Through increased exports and educational advancement, these two Asian tigers tremendously increased their Gross Domestic Products (GDP) within a short period of time.

India is reputedly the largest democracy in the world while China, despite espousing authoritarian form of government, enjoys a business culture that is absolutely capitalistic in outlook. With the blessings of George W. Bush, the United States saw the flight of innumerable American companies moving out of the country and settling in India and China respectively. In the name of globalization, American companies settled in Indian soil with ease. American companies settling in India found cheap labor and well-educated middle-class workers like doctors, engineers, lawyers, researchers, and computer technicians who did the perfect job.

Likewise, the Chinese took over the job of filling American shelves with cheap consumer products without which could see American business enterprises stagnated. The Chinese secured contracts in oil and mineral explorations in Africa and as far as Australia; Chinese engineering companies secured concessions in many impoverished countries building schools, constructing massive ports; the Chinese government gave out millions of dollars to poor countries hoping to secure contractual rights in return.

Meanwhile, the EU expanded its borders by attracting poor Eastern European countries in the hope of expanding its sphere of influence. Through mutual cooperation, the EU has also increased its dealings with India and China. This continued reciprocal friendship will see India and China becoming future super powers to reckon with.